How design decisions change fall from heights in reinforced concrete structures?

Abstract

Prevention through Design (PtD) and Design for Safety (DfS) are now being considered in relation to occupational health and safety and building design. A recent collection of studies suggests that certain decisions made by designers during the design process are at the root of many risks. A study was undertaken to relate falls from height to the conventional design process for reinforced concrete buildings. This was achieved by dividing the building design process into stages. During the design phase, input was gathered from architects and engineers working in the sector. Accident types were identified based on studies of occupational accident investigation reports from the Ministry of Labor. Of the 15 types of fall from height accidents studied, 12 were attributed to design decisions. Of these, 6 different accident types were associated with 5 or more design decisions, while 2 of these were associated with 3 or 4 design decisions. The remaining 4 types were linked to only 1 design decision.